Sensor with improved capacitive to voltage converter integrated circuit

ABSTRACT

A capacitive transducer (10) which provides an output voltage in response to the application of a mechanical stimulus such as pressure or acceleration includes a signal conditioning integrated circuit (12) to which are connected a variable capacitor (C VAR ), a reference capacitor (C REF ), a linear correction capacitor (C LIN ) as well as an integrating capacitor (C INT ) and associated filtering components. The linear correction capacitor (C LIN ) is used to offset a fixed parasitic charge associated with the variable capacitor. Any net error charge appearing on a detect, common node (pin 4) between the variable capacitor and the reference capacitor is cancelled out by means of an analog feedback network (22). In a modified embodiment a thermal compensation network (40) allows for correction for thermal error at a second temperature without having any affect at a first temperature.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates generally to sensors having variable capacitors as sensing elements and more particularly to signal conditioning electronics for providing an improved linear output voltage versus the application of a mechanical stimulus such as pressure or acceleration.

A signal conditioning circuit of this type is shown and described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,982,351, assigned to the assignee of the present invention, the is disclosure of which is incorporated herein by this reference. In that patent, a condition responsive element such as a capacitive pressure transducer having a pressure responsive diaphragm for varying transducer capacitance within a selected range in response to variations in pressure forces applied to the diaphragm is shown connected to a reference capacitor in a charge locked loop relation having a common node for forming a capacitance to voltage converter circuit which is ratiometric with respect to supply voltage to vary output voltage within a selected range in response to variation in transducer capacitance in a corresponding range. An array of switches cycles the voltage across the transducer and reference capacitors with opposite transitions with a predetermined frequency so that change in transducer capacitance results in a differential voltage at the common node. That voltage is then amplified to drive a current source-sink network to adjust the sensor output voltage and, by a feedback path, to restore a balanced condition at the node, thereby to maintain the sensor output voltage as a function of the transducer capacitance.

The above circuit has been widely used with various capacitive transducers including pressure and acceleration responsive transducers and provides a nearly linear output voltage. Sensors of this type typically have a total accuracy within a few percent of full scale output voltage. As usage of such sensors increase, higher accuracy as well as lower cost are continuously sought after. Some error in the circuit is related to the feedback circuit which uses a flip-flop latch in which a specified voltage change, positive or negative, is applied to the variable capacitor to offset any error change in the common node. Using this digital approach allows minimization but not elimination of the error charge since it is limited by the incremental charge applied by the digital system. Additionally, a certain amount of non-linearity is found and evidences itself as a parasitic capacitor in parallel with the variable capacitor.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Although the above described signal conditioning electronic circuit is very effective and accurate within a small error band, it is an object of the present invention to provide a signal conditioning circuit which has even improved accuracy and improved linearity of its output voltage versus an applied mechanical stimulus. Another object is the provision of a condition responsive capacitive transducer having improved low cost, high accuracy signal conditioning electronics. Yet another object of the invention is the provision of a signal conditioning circuit which overcomes the above noted prior art limitations.

Briefly described, in accordance with the invention, a variable capacitor, whose capacitance varies in response to the application of a mechanical stimulus, is connected to a reference capacitor to form a common node which is coupled to a charge comparator which in turn is connected to a voltage to current stage. The output of the voltage to current stage is connected through a phase C switch, one of an array of switches controlled by a timing and logic circuit, to the positive input of an integrator buffer and to an integrating capacitor. The output of the integrator buffer is connected to an output amplifier and to an analog feedback network through a phase B switch connected to the variable capacitor. More specifically, at the commencement of an instruction cycle, the timing and logic circuit causes a phase A switch connected across the charge comparator, to open to thereby enable the charge capacitor. Following this event, phase B switches, which respectively connect the reference capacitor to a gain voltage and the variable capacitor to a bias voltage, are opened and then phase B switches which respectively connect the reference capacitor to the supply voltage and the variable capacitor to the analog feedback network, are closed thereby switching the voltages across the reference and variable capacitors and inducing a net charge at the common or detect node. At steady state conditions any net charge at this node represents an error charge. This error charge is converted to a voltage through the comparator and to a current at the voltage to current stage. After a short settling time period the phase C switch, connected to the output of the voltage to current stage, is closed so that the current is connected to an integrating capacitor and is converted back to a voltage on the output of the integrator buffer which is of opposite polarity to the net error charge on the detect node. This voltage is fed back to the variable capacitor to null out the error charge. The phase C switch is then opened and the other phase switches are caused to return to their previous state of energization in preparation for the next cycle.

According to a feature of the invention, a linear correction capacitor is connected to the common node and a signal generating means through phase B, B switches to provide a selected capacitance which is subtracted from the variable capacitance to compensate the parasitic capacitance.

According to a feature of a modified embodiment, compensation for capacitive sensor error over temperature is provided comprising a thermal compensation circuit utilizing a resistive bridge sensor network which is calibrated at a first temperature, such as room temperature, so that thermal compensation adjustment produces no sensor output change. Thermal compensation adjustments at a second temperature can then correct output error caused by temperature change without affecting the output at the first temperature.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Other objects, advantages and details of the novel and improved sensor with improved capacitor to voltage converter integrated circuit of the invention appears in the following detailed description of preferred embodiments of the invention, the detailed description referring to the drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a sensor comprising a variable capacitor, integrated circuit and associated components of a first preferred embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a timing diagram for the integrated circuit of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a simplified block diagram illustrating a linearity improvement feature of the invention; and

FIG. 4 is a simplified block diagram illustrating a thermal error compensation feature of a modified embodiment of the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring to FIG. 1, numeral 10 indicates the novel and improved sensor of the invention which is shown to include a condition or mechanical stimulus responsive means 11 such as an accelerometer, a pressure sensor, a position sensor or the like, which includes a variable capacitor C_(VAR). Variable capacitor C_(VAR), along with a reference capacitor C_(REF), are connected to signal conditioning circuit means in the form of a calibrated capacitive conditioner integrated circuit 12. With regard to integrated circuit 12, for the purpose of the following description, the resistor value for R is 10K ohms nominal. More specifically, one side of the variable capacitor is connected to variable (VAR) pin 6 of circuit 12 and one side of reference capacitor C_(REF) is connected to reference (REF) pin 2 of circuit 12. The other sides of the capacitors are connected to a detect (DET) pin 4. Internally of circuit 12, pin 4 is connected through a 0.1R resistor to a charge comparator 14 with a phase switch φA connected across comparator 14. The output of comparator 14 is connected to a voltage to current stage 16 through a D-latch flip-flop 18 via a switch SW3 or directly via switch SW3. Switches SW3, SW3, along with SW1, SW1 and SW2, SW2 to be discussed below, are one time programmable switches. The output of the voltage to current stage 16 is connected through a phase switch φC to the integrator buffer 20 and to integrator (INT) pin 8 which in turn is connected to an external integrating capacitor C_(INT). Buffer 20 output is connected to feedback network 22 comprising feedback resistors RF3, RF2, RF1 and switches SW1, SW1 to pin VAR (pin 6) through a phase switch φB. Switch SW1 or SW1 is programmed to be closed depending on the level of sensitivity desired.

Another programmable option is provided utilizing switches SW2, SW2. In the default or normal operational, mode switch SW2 is closed connecting the output of integrator buffer 20, through a 2.0R resistor to the positive input of output amplifier 24 whose output is connected to (OUT) pin 10 and to (FLT) pin 9 which in turn is connected to an external filter capacitor C_(FLT1). The negative input of output amplifier 24 is connected through a 2.0R resistor to an attenuated supply voltage VDD/3 and through a 2.0R resistor to the output of amplifier 24. This arrangement provides an output voltage which is related to capacitor C_(VAR) as described infra. If desired, the change in output voltage can be inverted by programming switch SW2 to be closed instead of switch SW2 . In this arrangement the output of buffer 20 is connected through a 2.0 R resistor to the negative input of amplifier 26 whose positive input is connected to an attenuated supply voltage V_(DD) 5/12. The output is also fed back to the negative input through a 2.0R resistor.

Reference pin 2 is connected through a phase φB switch to a programmable voltage divider in the form of an 10 bit gain DAC between 0.8 V_(DD) and V_(SS) (where Vss is defined as 0 volts) and through a phase φB switch to a reference voltage, i.e., through a 0.33R resistor to supply voltage V_(DD).

Variable pin 6 is connected though a phase φB switch to another programmable voltage in the form of an 11 bit bias DAC between V_(DD) and 0.2 V_(DD) and through a phase φB switch to the feedback network as described above.

Timing signals φA, φB, φB, φC are generated internally utilizing oscillator 28 and phase logic 30. In their high and low states, as shown in FIG. 2, these signals will close and open their respective switches. Switches SW1, SW1, SW2, SW2, SW3, SW3 and the gain and bias DAC's are coupled to volatile-non-volatile memory 34. These functions are calibrated utilizing (DAT) pin 11, (CLK) pin 12 and (PGM) pin 13. Calibration consists of setting on-chip switches, testing circuit performance, iterating the first two steps and finally storing the final switch settings in a reliable, non-volatile memory.

A shield generator is connected to shield pins 3 and 5 and provides a voltage source equal to the threshold voltage present at the (DET) pin 4 during the charge reference phase (approximately V_(DD) /2) to be discussed. The shield voltage guards the conductor runs connected to pin 4 in a known manner.

Pin 7 (VSS) provides both an analog ground and digital ground while pin 14 (VDD) is for connection to a voltage source. Pin 14 is connected to terminal VDD of connector 36 with a filter capacitor C1 connected across terminals VDD and VSS. Terminal OUT of connector 36 is connected to pin 10 through resistor R1 of greater than 10 ohms, filter capacitor C2 and a voltage divider comprising a pull-up resistor R2 of greater than 1.8K ohms and a pull-down resistor R3 of greater than 1.8K ohms. Capacitor C_(FLT2) is connected across (VDD) pin 14 and (FLT) pin 9.

According to a feature to be described, an external capacitor C_(LIN) is connected externally to (LIN) pin 1 and internally through a phase φB switch to voltage VF of the feedback network and through a phase φB switch to the voltage V_(BIAS).

With the addition of the external components described, IC 12 converts small capacitance changes to large changes in output voltage. The input capacitance varies in response to the application of the mechanical stimulus, e.g., pressure, acceleration, and the like.

Operation of circuit 12 can be broken down into three phases. The first phase is a charge reference phase in which the phase logic of the phase switches is reflected in FIG. 1. During this phase a known quantity of charge is stored on the plates of reference capacitor C_(REF) and transducer capacitor C_(VAR). This is accomplished by closing the phase φA and φB switches which cause the known selected voltages V_(DET) -V_(GAIN) to be impressed upon capacitor C_(REF) and the voltage V_(DET) -V_(BIAS) upon capacitor C_(VAR). A known selected voltage V_(DET) -V_(F) is also impressed upon capacitor C_(LIN). The charge reference phase is selected to be long enough for capacitor C_(REF) and C_(VAR) voltages to settle before entering the next phase, the charge redistribution phase.

At the end of the first phase the phase φA switch opens, then the phase φB switch opens switching out the DAC voltages and the φB switch then closes to switch in the supply voltage V_(DD) and the feedback voltage V_(F). This causes the output of the charge comparator to go to a logic one, a logic zero or somewhere in-between depending on the error voltage at common detect pin 4. The phase φB switches are selected to be closed long enough to allow the comparator and the voltages across C_(REF), C_(VAR) to settle before entering the third sample phase.

During the third phase, according to a feature of the invention, switch SW3 is programmed during calibration to be closed (switch SW3 open, the opposite modes being shown in FIG. 1). The charge comparator 14 output is sampled through phase switch φC and will then accordingly charge or discharge integrating capacitor C_(INT). The voltage across comparator C_(INT) is buffered by integrator buffer 20 and fed back to the input capacitor network through the resistor feedback network 22.

In the steady state, when capacitor C_(VAR) is unchanging, the voltage of pin 4 does not change when switching between the reference phase and the charge redistribution or sample phase. The change in the charge on capacitor C_(REF), C_(VAR) and C_(LIN), when switching from the reference phase to the comparator phase, can be calculated and the general form of a transfer function relating the output voltage to the change in the voltage of capacitor C_(VAR) can be written F_(OUT) =G*(F_(BIAS) -(1-F_(GAIN))*C_(REF) /(C_(VAR) -C_(LIN)))-1/3 with switch SW2 closed and where F_(OUT) =V_(OUT) /V_(DD) and G is a known constant. A similar transfer function can be written with switch SW2 closed. The transfer function shows that the output voltage V_(OUT) at terminal OUT is a linear function of mechanical stimulus if capacitance C_(VAR) -C_(LIN) is inversely proportional to a linear function of mechanical stimulus (e.g., pressure, acceleration) however. However, capacitance C_(VAR) inherently includes a parasitic capacitance C_(PAR) which is independent of the mechanical stimulus and produces a non-linear output voltage. According to a feature of the invention, capacitor C_(LIN) is used to neutralize the effect of this parasitic capacitance.

Although switch SW3 in FIG. 1 is shown to be closed thereby connecting D-latch 18 in the circuit and providing a digital feedback loop, preferably switch SW3 is programmed to be closed with SW3 open to bypass the D-latch. This results in an analog feedback loop which reduces noise by enabling the circuit to null out any error charge on the common node, pin 4. Use of D-latch 18 results in applying a specific positive or negative charge to capacitor C_(VAR) so that some error charge inherently remains on the common node. That is, this type of feedback results in a predetermined small amount of sensor output noise. Although the integrating time constant in prior art circuit approaches utilizing a flip-flop, whether in a switch voltage approach described or in a switched current approach, can be increased in order to reduce this noise, the frequency response of the sensor is concomitantly degraded. By eliminating the flip-flop, i.e., D-latch 18, with a switch that allows an analog feedback, the net error charge can be cancelled by the provision of an equal feedback charge thereby significantly reducing noise. For example, in a sensor built in accordance with the invention, output noise of 1% fso (full scale output) was reduced to 0.1% fso without degrading the frequency response.

As referenced above, another feature of the invention relates to the provision of means to correct for output non-linearity. Typically, non-linearity on the order of 1.0% fso occurs on pressure and acceleration sensors. This non-linearity is caused by various factors, such as the non-uniform movement of the movable capacitor plate on a diaphragm which is placed in communication with a pressure source wherein movement of the diaphragm decreases as one goes in a direction from the center out to the fixed perimeter of the diaphragm. This non-linearity can be modeled by adding a parasitic capacitor C_(PAR) in parallel with the variable capacitor C_(VAR) as shown in FIG. 3. The electronic transfer function for the switched voltage approach as described above results in a sensor output voltage that is a linear function of C_(REF) /(C_(VAR) +C_(PAR) -C_(LIN)). The inverse C_(VAR) is ideally a linear function of the sensed stimulus therefore the sensor output voltage is also a linear function of the sensed stimulus as long as C_(LIN) is equal to C_(PAR). As shown in FIG. 3, one end of capacitor C_(LIN) is connected to pin 4, the common node between capacitor C_(REF) and C_(VAR) while the other end is connected to a switch voltage signal that is opposite in phase to the signal applied to capacitors C_(VAR). The amount of linearity correction can be adjusted by adjusting the capacitance of C_(LIN) or by adjusting the magnitude of the signal applied to capacitor C_(LIN).

A transducer made in accordance with the invention comprised the following components in addition to integrated circuit 12:

    ______________________________________                                         C.sub.VAR 20 .sub.P F to 25 .sub.P F                                                                  C1         0.1 uF                                       C.sub.REF 20 .sub.P F  C.sub.FLT2 0.1 uF                                       C.sub.LIN 2.0 .sub.P F C.sub.FLT1 0.1 uF                                       R1        >10K ohm     C.sub.LOAD 0.1 uF                                       R2        >1.8K ohm    C.sub.INT  0.047 uF                                     R3        >1.8 ohm                                                             ______________________________________                                    

In a modified embodiment, a network feature shown in FIG. 4 provides thermal error compensation for the sensor. The network comprises a temperature dependent resistor R4 serially connected to a calibration resistor R5 between supply voltage V_(DD) and ground V_(SS). A thermal compensation potentiometer R6 is connected between a reference voltage V_(DD) /2 and the junction of resistors R4, R5. Calibration resistor R5 is adjusted such that adjustment of potentiometer R6 does not affect the offset compensation voltage connected to the sensor output stage at a first temperature, e.g., room temperature. Since the resistance value of resistor R4 changes with temperature, sensor output error caused by a change at a second temperature can be compensated by adjusting potentiometer R6 without affecting the sensor output at the first temperature. This embodiment simplifies thermal compensation by eliminating the need to make a second adjustment at the first temperature due to compensation at the second temperature. A further advantage is that with respect to the manufacturing process, the sensor data obtained in going from the first to the second temperatures and vice versa need not be remembered. A similar temperature compensation calibrating bridge is shown in coassigned U.S. Pat. No. 5,241,850, the subject matter of which is incorporated herein by this reference.

It should be understood that although particular embodiments of the invention have been described by way of illustrating the invention, other embodiments and variations of the invention are possible. Although the closed feedback loop is shown to extend to the variable capacitor, it will be understood that, if desired, a feedback loop could be provided for the reference capacitor. The invention includes all modifications and equivalents of the disclosed embodiments falling within the scope of the claims. 

What is claimed:
 1. A variable capacitor transducer having an electrical output which varies in response to changes in a mechanical stimulus being monitored comprising an electric circuit having a variable capacitor and a reference capacitor coupled together to form a common node, a charge comparator, the common node coupled to the charge comparator for comparing the charge on the variable capacitor to the charge on the reference comparator, an integrator buffer having an analog output, the charge comparator having an output coupled to the integrator buffer to provide an output signal which is approximately a linear function of the mechanical stimulus applied to the variable capacitor, a plurality of selected switches, a timing circuit for providing actuation signals during instruction cycles for controlling the state of energization of the selected switches, one of the selected switches connected to the output of the integrator buffer, a closed analog feedback loop extending from the output of the integrator buffer through said one of the selected switches to the variable capacitor wherein the said one of the selected switches is closed during a portion of each instruction cycle to feedback the analog output signal to the variable capacitor to null out a charge on the common node.
 2. A variable capacitor transducer comprising a variable capacitor for providing an electrical signal responsive to the application of a mechanical stimulus being monitored, a reference capacitor connected to the variable capacitor to form a common node,an electric circuit comprising a charge comparator having an input and an output, the common node being connected to the input of the charge comparator, a normally closed phase A switch connected across the input and output of the charge comparator, the reference capacitor being connected through a first normally closed phase B switch to a selected gain voltage and through a first normally open inverse phase B switch to a selected supply voltage, the variable capacitor being connected through a second normally closed phase B switch to a selected bias voltage and through a second normally open inverse phase B switch to an analog feedback circuit, a voltage to current converter having an input and an output, the output of the charge comparator connected to the input of the voltage to current converter, an integrator buffer having a positive and a negative input and an output, providing an output signal, the output of the voltage to current converter connected to the input of the integrator buffer through a normally open phase C switch, an integrator capacitor connected between the phase C switch and the input of the integrator buffer, the output of the integrator buffer connected to the analog feedback circuit and, through an output amplifier, to an output voltage pin, the analog feedback circuit connected to the second inverse phase B switch and a logic circuit for providing instructional cycles and connected to the respective phase switches to control the state of energization of the phase switches so that for each instructional cycle the phase switch A is opened and after a selected interval the first and second phase B switches are opened, then the first and second inverse phase B switches are closed and after a selected interval the phase C switch is closed to charge the integrating capacitor and to provide an analog feedback to the variable capacitor for a selected interval after which the phase switches revert to their normal state of energization for the commencement of the next instructional cycle.
 3. A variable capacitive transducer according to claim 2 further comprising a linear correction capacitor connected to the common node between the variable capacitor and the reference capacitor and to signal generating means for providing a selected charge essentially equal to and of opposite polarity to a parasitic charge independent of the applied mechanical stimulus appearing on the variable capacitor.
 4. A variable capacitive transducer according to claim 2 further comprising a thermal compensation bridge network having a reference voltage, a temperature dependent resistor and a calibration resistor serially connected between a supply voltage and ground forming a junction therebetween and a thermal compensation potentiometer connected between the reference voltage and the junction, the potentiometer having an output added to the output signal of the integrating buffer whereby adjustment of the calibration resistor can eliminate any affect of potentiometer setting upon the combined output signal at a first temperature, and the potentiometer can be adjusted at a second temperature to provide compensation for offset error at the second temperature without affecting the combined output signal at the first temperature.
 5. A variable capacitive transducer having an electrical output which varies in response to changes in a mechanical stimulus being monitored comprising a variable capacitor having a capacitance which varies with changes in the mechanical stimulus and a reference capacitor having a substantially constant capacitance, circuit means for charging the variable and reference capacitors and for comparing a function of the charge on the variable and reference capacitors and for generating a voltage signal related to the comparison, means to convert the voltage signal to a current signal, an integrator buffer having an input and an analog output, the current signal being applied to the input of the integrator buffer to provide an output signal which is approximately a linear function of the mechanical stimulus applied to the variable capacitor, and a closed analog feedback loop extending from the output of the integrator buffer to one of the variable and reference capacitors.
 6. A variable capacitor transducer according to claim 5 further comprising a thermal compensation bridge network having a reference voltage, a temperature dependent resistor and a calibration resistor serially connected between a supply voltage and ground forming a junction therebetween and a thermal compensation potentiometer connected between the reference voltage and the junction, the potentiometer having an output added to the output signal of the integrator buffer whereby adjustment of the calibration resistor can eliminate any affect of potentiometer setting upon the combined output signal at a first temperature, and the potentiometer can be adjusted at a second temperature to provide compensation for offset error at the second temperature without affecting the combined output signal at the first temperature. 